Page 19 of His Runaway Bride
"She's wasted here!"another Ferguson fighter called out."Her skills would be better served among those who truly understand their value!"
Patrick and Grant were moving even as the words were spoken, their weapons appearing in their hands with the fluid grace of seasoned warriors.But they were outnumbered two to one, and the Fergusons had positioned themselves to cut off retreat.
"Lileas!"Ewan shouted without taking his eyes off the enemy."The cave.Run to the cave and hide!"
But even as he spoke, the Ferguson raiders spurred their horses forward with wild Highland war cries, their weapons gleaming wickedly in the growing light.Steel rang against steel as Ewan met the first attacker's charge.
"Go!"he commanded, parrying another thrust while Grant and Patrick engaged their own opponents with deadly efficiency.
Lileas scrambled toward the cave mouth, but instead of fleeing to its depths, her mind was already working with methodical precision.Near the dying embers of their fire, she spotted what she needed: a thick layer of wood ash mixed with sand and salt from the beach, along with the remains of the charcoal they'd used for cooking.
Working with desperate efficiency, Lileas tore strips from her garment then packed the cloth with the ash mixture and several sharp stones.Using leather cords from their gear, she fashioned makeshift slings, crude but effective weapons.
The sound of battle was growing more desperate.Ewan was fighting like a man possessed, his fury at the threat to his wife driving him onwards.But the Fergusons were skilled fighters who had clearly planned this attack carefully.
The leader pressed forward with obvious intent to reach Lileas while his men kept her protectors busy."Take the lass!"he bellowed to his nearest companion."She's worth more than gold!"
"Aye, Dugald!"another Ferguson fighter called back, parrying a thrust from Patrick's sword."The laird will reward us well!"
The words chilled Ewan to the bone even as he fought desperately against two attackers.These men didn't want ransom or simple plunder: they wanted Lileas herself.
Amidst the chaos of battle, Lileas lit the first of her improvised weapons with a glowing ember and began to whirl it overhead, aiming for the men.The burning bundle struck the nearest man square in the chest, exploding in a shower of sparks and hot ash that sent man and mount into screaming panic.
The effect was immediate.Confusion reigned as their attackers struggled to control their horses.Lileas rapidly filled another sling, lit it, and sent its burden hurtling towards the startled men.
"Witchcraft!"one of them shouted, struggling to control his panicked horse."The lass commands fire itself!Take her quickly!"
But the tide of battle was already turning.The explosion of ash and flame had scattered the Ferguson formation, giving Grant and Patrick the opening they needed to press their advantage.
It was then that the thunder of hoofbeats echoed from inland.A party of MacNeil warriors led by a guardsman named Cameron came riding hard across the packed earth, having spotted the Ferguson riders crossing their borders at dawn.
"MacNeil!"they shouted, their battle cry carrying the fury of men defending their own land.
The scarred Ferguson leader—Dugald—saw the approaching reinforcements and knew his chance was slipping away.With his men scattered and wounded, retreat was the only option.
"This isn't finished, MacNeil!"he snarled, backing toward where his surviving men were trying to rally."We will have her!"
"Set foot on my lands again and I'll kill every last one of ye!"Ewan roared, his voice carrying the promise of death."Any man who threatens my wife answers to my steel!"
The Fergusons were already in retreat, their wounded leader helping to lift injured men onto their mounts as the MacNeil reinforcements closed in, driving the Fergusons off their land and into the forest beyond.
Even so, Dugald's voice could be heard shouting, "This won't be forgotten, MacNeil!She's worth more than ye ken!"
The words sent a chill through Ewan.He turned and stormed towards Lileas, his gaze unwavering.She dropped the sling just as he enveloped her in his arms and kissed her like a man possessed."Are ye hurt, love?"he rasped, quickly looking her over.
Lileas shook her head."I am well."
Then he stepped away and roared, "When I say run and hide, ye run and hide!Ye dinnae dive head first into battle throwing flaming dirt about the place.Ye could've been hurt or taken!"
Lileas's spine immediately stiffened and she bellowed in return, "I was not about to let them hurt ye, ye stubborn ox!I kenned what to do and I did it."She was glaring at him now with her hands on her hips in such righteous anger that she yelped in surprise when Ewan reached across, pulled her into his arms, and slammed his lips over hers again.What followed was a passionately fierce embrace as they battled for supremacy, completely forgetting they had an audience.
They were interrupted by Cameron who cleared his throat several times to get his laird's attention.Eventually they separated, panting deeply as if they'd run several miles.But Ewan clasped Lileas's hand tightly in his and drew her close to his side.
"Laird, we've secured the area.I've sent men to make sure they dinnae return."
"Aye, thank ye!"Ewan replied as he tried to shake the passionate haze."I want a full patrol of our borders.Every approach, every glen, every path the bastards might use.If they're still on MacNeil land, I want them found and driven off."
"Aye, consider it done," Cameron replied.
